We have just passed the ‘100 miles to go’ barrier, and we are tantalisingly close to being able to cross the finish line before mid-day tomorrow. The wind needs to keep blowing, and if it changed direction another wee squeak from the north, we would pick up that little bit of extra speed we need to make it. So it’s race trimming and feathering to windward on board today, with a bit of an end of term atmosphere and everyone in high spirits. We played with the sextant today, attempting noon sun sights. Unfortunately a minus sign replaced a plus in the calculation of high noon, so we don’t think we’d end up in Tortola if we were trying to get there using the sextant! Better luck tomorrow.

Rationing has now extended to limes, but on the other hand we have about five gallons of chilli and a quarter ton of rice to get through. Tonight’s meal is pork fillet with red cabbage and baby potatoes – not bad after all this time at sea.